Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, status post fracture of the nose with septorhinoplasty, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bladder incontinence, basal cell carcinoma, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a left hand skin rash due to additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury. The Board found that the Veteran meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house. His claim for SMP based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues listed, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain symptoms are related to an in-service electrical injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 20, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities during the appeal period and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gastroparesis is rated at 20 percent prior to June 9, 2016, and 60 percent thereafter. The Veteran's atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease (CAD) is also rated at 60 percent since May 10, 2016. Service connection has been established for right and left upper extremity neuropathy, lip disability, mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, glaucoma/cataracts, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gastroparesis as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, right knee injury, and hip arthritis, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nerve disorder of the feet, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of cold injury with neuropathy in his bilateral lower extremities and hands prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand tremors and Parkinson's disease, as well as peripheral neuropathy, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for a liver condition is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's peroneal neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, and his right hip arthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected peroneal neuropathy. The Board has granted a higher rating for the peroneal neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during her active military service.